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Class 1: (8/27)
In Class Activitiy: Read and discuss case studies
Homework Assignment for Next Week: Write a 3-4-paragraph essay on the things related to science teaching that you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with at this point in time. You can address science content, teaching methods, classroom management, etc. However, you must include comments on your understanding of inquiry-based science instruction, referring specifically to the "types of inquiry" section in the handout. Either state in your own words your understanding of these types of inquiry, or explain what it is that you do not understand. (10 pts)
Read: “Defining Inquiry,” and Chapter 1 in Teaching Science
Class 2: Making the Case for Inquiry
In Class Activities: Course website: http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/courses/ci351fa03/
Discuss readings. Watch and discuss Tim O'Keefe video
Homework Assignment: Conduct an interview with 1.) an elementary school student and 2.) a middle school student using the handout provided (Assessing students' ideas about plants). Write a journal entry to record your experiences as outlined in the article. (10pts) Due: 9/22
Read: NSES sections: Chapter 6: Rationale; Chapter 6: Unifying Concepts and Processes; Chapter 6: Content Standards K-4, Sections on Science and Technology, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, History and Nature of Science. Print out these three sections and bring them to class to use for an assignment.
Class 3: Traditional and Non-traditional Science Content: The Scope of the Standards
In Class Activities: Discuss readings. Look at unit on design and invention. Work in small groups to brainstorm teaching activities for the non-traditional science concepts. Record at least one of these ideas and explain how it could be incorporated into a science unit on a traditional content topic.
Read: Chapter 2 in Teaching Science
Class 4: How Do Children Construct Understanding in Science?
In Class Activities: : Discuss interviews. Garnetta Chain video. Discuss Video.
Homework Assignment: Portfolio Activities 3.3 and 3.4A
Read: Chapter 3 in Teaching Science
Class 5: Selecting a Science Topic: “Driving Questions” and Standards
In Class Activities: Review and discuss topics handout. Review unit assignment. Distribute sample unit (invisible inks). Examine texts for preferred grade level for unit assignment, and use these to begin to think about unit topics. Use catalogs to find books and/or materials to support unit.
Homework Assignment: Select 2 topics and approximate grade level that you might be interested in using for an inquiry-based science unit. Record your rationale for selecting these topics. Develop a possible driving question for each topic. Find and list the state standards (science content) related to this topic (use the letter/number abbreviations), and find and list 2 performance descriptors for the topic. Find the NSES content standards (Chapter 6) that relate to these topics and list them (10pts).
Read: Chapter 4 in Teaching Science
Class 6: Developing Scientific Investigations
In Class Activities: Introduction to Moon Project - Lesson 1
Develop lesson plan (10pts).
Read: Chapter 5 in Teaching Science
Class 7: Using Learning Technologies
In Class Activities: Introduction to Fathom Software. Building Inquiry into web based resources.
Homework: Create a Science lesson using applets on MSTE website (10pts).
Read: Chapter 6 in Teaching Science
Class 8: Collaboration in the Science Classroom
In Class Activities:Portfolio Activity 6.1B using video clips
Read: Chapter 7 in Teaching Science
Class 9: Benchmark Lessons: Skill-building and Introductory Activities
In Class Activities: Discuss/explain skill-building and intro activities; look at examples in invisible inks unit. Do the "question search" activity. Watch video: intro activity for geology unit and all of sound unit
Develop and record a "skill-building activity" to prepare students for inquiry-based science. The activity can be general, or related to one of the unit topics you've been thinking about. Develop and record an introductory activity for one of the topics.
Class 10: Benchmark Lessons: Teacher-directed and Guided Inquiry Activities
In Class Activities: Share student examples of skill-building and intro activities. Look at examples in invisible inks unit of teacher-directed and guided inquiry activities for teaching content/concepts. Use resources provided in class to draft or find one content/concept lesson plan for your unit; peer review lesson plans.
Homework Assignment: Do the 4th grade and 7th grade science ISAT exams on-line at
http://tp1.clearlearning.com/ISBE/ and come to class prepared to discuss these exams. Takes notes on anything that you question or print out the exams and bring to class. Go to the Rubistar Web site (http://rubistar.4teachers.org/templates.shtml#second) and develop and print out a grading rubric that might be used for an activity in your unit.
Read: Chapters 8 and 9 in Teaching Science
Class 11: Assessing Students in Science
In Class Activities: Discuss formative/summative assessment, connecting assessment to objectives; review grading rubrics and give example, look at assessment example in invisible inks unit. Review 4th grade ISAT. Watch video on assessment.
Homework Assignment: Science Unit due next week
Read: Chapter 11 in Teaching Science
Class 12: Finding Resources; Integrating Science with Other Content Areas
In Class Activities: Final phase of moon project. Analysis of Data using Fathom software (10pts)
Homework Assignment: Curriculum Study due in three weeks
Class 13: Differentiated Instruction in Science
In Class Activities: Read and discuss case studies; review general guidelines for differentiating instruction for gifted, learning disabled, and ESL students. Select a specific student in one of your participation classrooms who is learning disabled, gifted, or an ESL student. Describe this student, and then describe how you think that you would modify science instruction to meet the needs of this particular student.
Read: Chapter 10 in Teaching Science
Class 14: Science Classroom Managementand Course Evaluation
In Class Activities:Do activities from Champaign tub units; develop classroom management plan for this unit
Curriculum Study Due
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